Gezicht op Hospice des Orphelines te Antwerpen before 1881

This is an anonymous engraving of the Hospice des Orphelines in Antwerp. Orphanages like this one were more than just buildings; they were reflections of societal values and the treatment of its most vulnerable members. Consider the stories embedded within this architecture. Who were these orphans, and what circumstances led them to seek refuge here? Orphanages often became sites of complex social dynamics, where issues of class, gender, and power played out within the confines of institutional walls. How did these spaces shape the identities and futures of the children who grew up within them? What types of education were provided and what expectations were held for boys versus girls? Reflect on the emotional landscape of this place; the resilience, the loss, and the collective identity that emerged from shared experiences. This image serves as a reminder of the intricate ways in which architecture can embody both care and control, reflecting the hopes and anxieties of the society that built it.